Bath Protectorate Society Poster

Chartism as a movement is generally considered to have ended in February 1858, after the last Chartist National Convention met and decided to cooperate with the moderate liberal radicals. However, at this time, none of the aims of the Chartists had been achieved and people were still campaigning on issues detailed in The People’s Charter.

This poster was issued by the Bath Protectorate Society in 1859. At the time, voting was still not secret and voters could be intimidated before voting, or victimised afterwards. The secret ballot was not introduced until 1872 when the Secret Ballot Act was passed.

The subscription fee of 2s. 6d. (two shillings and sixpence) compares with a typical labourer's daily wage at the time.